To be sure, it comes from France; I had forgotten." The first fortnight passed with the excitement attendant to taking up quarters in a strange land.

The Chevalier, Victor and the vicomte were given rooms in the citadel; D'Herouville accepted the courtesy of the governor and became a resident of the chateau; father Chaumonot, Major du Puys, and his selected recruits, had already made off for Onondaga.
A word from Father Chaumonot into the governor's ear promoted the Chevalier to a lieutenancy in lieu of Nicot's absence in Onondaga.
Everything began very well.
Seldom a day went by without a skirmish with the Iroquois, who had grown impudent and fearless again.

The Iroquois were determined to destroy their ancient enemies, the Hurons, primarily because they hated them, and secondarily because they were allies of the French.

France did what she could in reason to stop these depredations, but the task needed an iron gauntlet, and De Lauson was a civilian.

At this period the Mohawks were the fiercest, the Onondagas having agreed to a temporary treaty.